Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 60 results:

2010 Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings, FEMA P-804

2019

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Fact sheet providing an overview of the FEMA document Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings.

A Crash Course in Roof Venting, PA-1101

2011

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.

About Attic Ventilation

2022

ENERGY STAR

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Energy Star web page providing guidance on attic ventilation.

Alaska Residential Building Manual, 7th Edition

2008

Deer Charlie,

et al.

University of Alaska,

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation

Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

2010

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.

Attics, Topic 4.01

2020

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

NREL

NREL webpage of standard work specification of exterior and interior, attic floors, attic knee walls, and unique installations.

Avoiding Moisture Problems

2003

Van der Meer Bill

National Association for State Community Services Programs,

NASCSP,

Weatherization Training Center at Penn College,

Pennsylvania College of Technology,

PCT

Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part I

2018

Yost Peter

Journal of Light Construction,

JLC

Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part II

2018

Yost Peter

Journal of Light Construction,

JLC

Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Attic Air Sealing Guidelines

2013

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Fact sheet describing research sponsored by DOE's Building America program to research the importance of attic air-sealing and best practice attic air-sealing techniques for new and existing homes.

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

2010

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Ceilings and Attics

2000

Southface Energy Institute,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

ORNL,

SEI

Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Cool Hand Luke Meets Attics, BSI-077

2015

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.

Cool Solutions: The Whole House Fan

2018

Mott-Smith John

City of Davis,

State of California

Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

CRRC - Cool Roof Rating Council

2023

Cool Roof Rating Council

CRRC

Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.

Dam Ice Dam, BSI-046

2011

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.

De-Icing Ice Dams, BSI-097

2018

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.

Earth Tubes Exhibit

2022

Clean Energy Exhibition

Clean Energy Exhibition,

Solar World

Webpage providing details of an experimental earth tube installation at the Clean Energy Exhibition in Georgia.

Evaluation of the Lateral Performance of Roof Truss-to-Wall Connections in Light Frame Wood Systems

2011

National Association of Home Builders Research Center,

U.S. Department of Agriculture

NAHB Research Center,

USDA

Report describing research testing results on roof truss to wall connections in light frame wood systems.

FEMA Continuous Load Path

2023

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Article explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.

Field Performance of Unvented Cathedralized (UC) Attics in the USA, PA-0502

2005

Rudd Armin

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Journal article reporting on field experience of unvented cathedralized (UC) attics in several environments in the United States.

Fire Protection of Facades

2017

Marija Jelčić Rukavina,

Milan Carević,

Ivana Banjad Pečur

University of Zagreb

A guide for designers, architects, engineers, and fire experts on how to design rainscreen and ventilated cavities such that they don’t contribute to the spread of a fire.

FPC Residential Monitoring Project: New Technology Development - Radiant Barrier Pilot Project

2015

Parker Danny S

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program.

Guidelines for Ventilating Attics and Cathedral Ceilings to Avoid Icings at Their Eaves

2001

Tobiasson Wayne N,

Buska James S,

Greatorex Alan R

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Report describing the use of fresh air ventilation systems to eliminate the formation of icicles and ice dams along the eaves of roofs.

Home Energy Guide - Techniques, Tactics, and Tips: Ice Dams

2003

Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Article describing the causes that form ice dams, as well as solutions for preventing future ice dams on roofs, focusing on air sealing to prevent hot air leakage.

How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor

Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.

How to Install Cellulose Insulation

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

2019

Dorsi Chris

Montana State University Extension,

MSU Extension

Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.

Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA 549

2006

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Guide discussing observations, recommendations, and technical guidance as a result of Hurricane Katrina

HVI Certified Products Directory

2020

Home Ventilating Institute

HVI

Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

2017

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

2006

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

2004

Parker Danny S

Home Energy Magazine

Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

Kick the Can! No Recessed Lights in the Building Envelope

2011

Bailes Allison

Energy Vanguard

Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.

Literature Review of the Impact and Need for Attic Ventilation in Florida Homes

2005

Parker Danny S

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

PDF literature review of the impact and need for attic ventilation in Florida homes.

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

2013

Mantha Pallavi,

Zoeller William,

Shapiro Carl

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

Miami-Dade County – Checklist #0155 for the Approval of Roof Ventilators, Turbines, and Ridge Vents

2012

Miami-Dade County

Report covering the selection of roof vents for rainwater resistance.

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana, FEMA P-757

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

FEMA report describing findings from an investigation of Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana and residential construction recommendations based on those findings.

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Michael in Florida: Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA P-2077

2020

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team Report describing damages from Hurricane Michael in Florida in Oct. 2018 and recommendations for future hurricane preparedness.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

2008

Lubliner Michael,

et al.

WSU Extension Energy Program,

Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development

Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.

No Sweat, BSI-094

2016

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Ping Pong Water and The Chemical Engineer, BSI-016

2016

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article outlining moisture accumulation in open cell spray polyurethane foam.

Preventing Ice Dams

2011

Fisette Paul

UMass Amherst Department of Environmental Conservation

Article describing how ice dams form on residential roofs, how they damage homes, and solutions to prevent future dams.

Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos

2024

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Website from the EPA containing information for homeowners and renters about how to identify asbestos in the home and how to deal with it to reduce exposure to it.

Radiant Barrier Calculator

2011

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

ORNL

Website providing an online calculator for determining energy and cost savings from installing radiant barriers in attics.

Radiant Barriers

2015

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

2005

Melody Ingrid,

Fairey Philip W,

Beal David

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Reexamining Roof Ventilation

2000

Woods Tony

Home Energy,

National Association for State Community Services Programs,

NASCSP

Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

Roof Venting in a Wet Climate

2011

Fisette Paul

Journal of Light Construction,

JLC

Q&A article discussing how to address moisture issues in an attic in a wet and humid coastal climate.

Sealed Attics?

2010

Coble Brian

Home Energy Magazine

Article describing how insulating and air sealing unfinished attic spaces can lead to reduced energy bills in some homes.